Slot Machines Moving to the Next Level

The design of slot machines has come along one in the last few years but WMS Gaming is taking it to the next level with the introduction of hydraulic chairs in their Sensory Immersion 2.0 games.

In the Sensory Immersion 2.0 games players will not only find the video screen, TV music and movie themes that have become commonplace in slot machines they will also experience a sense of motion.

Mike DeLuca, Slot Manager at the Mardi Gras Casino, says that slot machine developers have seen a world where people can get visual stimulation even from their phones and are trying to take slot machines to the next level in an attempt to attract new gamblers.

“The slot experience has changed over the years, and much of it is because the technology has improved so much,” De Luca said.

“But this takes slots to a different level.”

The first game that featured the innovative hydraulic chair is Aladdin and the Magic Quest.

The game follows the storyline from the book and features Robin Williams as the voice of the genie.

“As part of the “sensory immersion gaming” experience, the bass range of an audio system sends vibrations through the chair, giving the players a “you-are-here” sound,” WMS Senior Game Designer Daniel Louie said.

“Then the chair tilts left and right, similar to a virtual reality roller coaster.

To placate those who don’t like the motion, we installed an “intensity” feature, which patrons can set to off, low, medium or high.”

Louie said a great deal of work went into designing the chair and making sure that the movement only occurred in pivotal points in the game.

“We took a lot of time to think about how the player would react to the motion,” Louie said.

“We didn’t just say, let’s shake them about.”

The next game to feature the total immersion chair will be the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory themed-machine that will feature the famous chocolate river boat ride that is seen in both versions of the movie.